Creating new possibilities for mobile multimedia broadcasting

Creating new possibilities for mobile multimedia broadcasting - Ericsson scores another first - adding Bluetooth to a live 3G mobile network, showing High-speed IP services While driving around in a demonstration van at Telecom99 in Geneva, Ericsson shows live IP based videoconferencing over a 3G mobile network with Bluetooth connections between devices. The demonstration is the world's first to integrate a 3G (third generation) system and Bluetooth wireless technology, providing high-speed packet based services. The videoconference uses the new video standard MPEG-4, optimized by a new encoder developed by Ericsson - especially well suited for real-time mobile multimedia. Visitors to the Ericsson stand can see the benefits of the Bluetooth technology in action as part of the 3G demonstration. In the set-up, Bluetooth provides a wireless connection between a PC and a mobile phone. The Ericsson demo van is driving around Geneva and visitors can videoconference with others at the Ericsson stand. "Much has been written and said about 3G, but here we are once again showing it in reality, proving our leading position," says Mats Köhlmark, Vice President, Ericsson WCDMA Systems. "We are delighted to provide another opportunity for people to see and experience for themselves how Ericsson is driving the next generation of mobile communications. Seeing is believing." A doctor can for example give first help advice while looking at the patient miles away. A Grandmother can see her newborn grandchild from the other side of the globe. And a rock band can send footage with a new song to their music video producer in an instant. A rescue team can include a small camera in their equipment to send footage back to their operations team. TV journalists working in the field can broadcast their latest multimedia scoop immediately. TV stations and other broadcasting companies can find a new channel to broadcast multimedia productions outside their coverage or license areas. 3G can also greatly simplify the way live broadcasting is transmitted and handled. The difference between 2G (second generation) and 3G mobile networks and 3G is actually like the difference between a radio and a TV. Considering that up to 90% of a message is usually perceived by body language - using 3G will make remote communications even more personal. People will be able to use their 3G terminal for a variety of uses. Ericsson's 3G demonstration is open to all visitors at Telecom99. During booked demo tours, participants can experience packet-switched videoconferencing calls and a number of other applications. Packet-switched data reach speeds up to 472 kbps in the wide area network, whilst on the move in the demo van. The demonstration is based on key enablers for 3G services, Bluetooth for wireless local short-range connectivity between devices, packet switching and WCDMA for the mobile wide area network. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over. Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Johan Wiklund, Ericsson Corporate Communications Phone: +46 70 560 0134; E-mail: johan.wiklund@lme.ericsson.se Mikael Halén, Manager, Product Marketing, Wideband Radio Networks Phone: +41 79 378 0139; E-mail: mikael.halen@era.ericsson.se Ericsson's leadership 3G Ericsson is leading the development of 3G mobile communications. The company is ideally positioned to support any operator anywhere to migrate into 3G systems - regardless of current systems. Ericsson offers a smooth migration path from all 2G systems to 3G systems based on WCDMA, cdma2000 and EDGE. The company offers a 3G portfolio with end-to-end solutions, including terminals, applications and infrastructure. Ericsson has already announced 3G experimental systems on three continents, leveraging the company's more than 10 years of research in 3G technologies. The company has set up more than ten different 3G Experimental Systems in Canada, China, Japan, Germany, Italy, UK, U.S. and Sweden. The above demonstrations are the latest in a series of Ericsson's first 3G calls, including the first WCDMA calls over public networks last year. This summer, Ericsson made the world's first mobile-to-mobile WCDMA multimedia call, when showing services at 472 kbps between a demo van in Japan and a similar demo van in Sweden. Ericsson completed the first WCDMA voice call in April 1998. Previous breakthrough WCDMA calls also include video calls from Italy to Germany over the air having the Japanese video standard meet the European video standard. To read more about Ericsson's leadership in 3G, also see: http://www.ericsson.se/wireless/products/mobsys/3rdgen/3rdgen.shtml About Bluetooth Bluetooth is a new short-range radio technology that will allow the wireless interconnection of a wide range of devices; for example between a PC and a printer. Bluetooth was launched as a license-free specification in May 1998 by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, led by Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba. Today, the Bluetooth technology has more than 850 adopters worldwide. To read more about Ericsson and Bluetooth, see: http://bluetooth.ericsson.se ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/10/11/19991011BIT00320/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/10/11/19991011BIT00320/bit0002.pdf